Describe the inquiry activity you will use for your informal assessment review. Explain what science practice(s) it will teach and how you plan to assess them. Use the template "EDC 484 S09 RJ04 - Assessing Inquiry".
The inquiry activity that I have chose for my informal assessment review deals with the topic of accuracy vs. precision. This lesson was designed for my period 1 chemistry enhancement seniors. The science practices addressed in the this lesson are knowing how to properly use scientific tools, data recording and analysis, drawring conclusions from accumulated data. Students are often taught about accuracy and precision but often don't make the connection to the concept of significant figures and their purpose. During the following activity students will be asked to record measurements using scientific tools such as graduated cylinders (of varying volumes), equal arm balances, and rulers. They will be asked to record the following meauserments: the volume of water in each graduated cylindar by reading the meniscus, the mass of a coin (half dolar) using the equal arm balance, and the approximate dementions of their textbook using a ruler. After their data has been compiled they will each share their measurements by filling out a chart drawn up on the smart board. They will then be asked to compare their results paying close attention to the number of decimal places each tool's measurement has. After the data has been compared, the lesson on how to use significant figures properly will commence. This will include a set of problems to refresh their memories about what makes a diget significant. Students will be asked to make connections between their data and the number of significant figures that should be used when using a tool such as a graduated cylindar or equal arm balance. They will be given the opportunity to change the data that they originally recorded but must give an explaination as to why they feel they need to change it. This will give me some insight to who is understanding the material in the lesson and who is not. To reinforce my assessment I will provide practice examples so that I can see where (if any) misconceptions arise.
The inquiry activity that I have chose for my informal assessment review deals with the topic of accuracy vs. precision. This lesson was designed for my period 1 chemistry enhancement seniors. The science practices addressed in the this lesson are knowing how to properly use scientific tools, data recording and analysis, drawring conclusions from accumulated data. Students are often taught about accuracy and precision but often don't make the connection to the concept of significant figures and their purpose. During the following activity students will be asked to record measurements using scientific tools such as graduated cylinders (of varying volumes), equal arm balances, and rulers. They will be asked to record the following meauserments: the volume of water in each graduated cylindar by reading the meniscus, the mass of a coin (half dolar) using the equal arm balance, and the approximate dementions of their textbook using a ruler. After their data has been compiled they will each share their measurements by filling out a chart drawn up on the smart board. They will then be asked to compare their results paying close attention to the number of decimal places each tool's measurement has. After the data has been compared, the lesson on how to use significant figures properly will commence. This will include a set of problems to refresh their memories about what makes a diget significant. Students will be asked to make connections between their data and the number of significant figures that should be used when using a tool such as a graduated cylindar or equal arm balance. They will be given the opportunity to change the data that they originally recorded but must give an explaination as to why they feel they need to change it. This will give me some insight to who is understanding the material in the lesson and who is not. To reinforce my assessment I will provide practice examples so that I can see where (if any) misconceptions arise.